WASHINGTON, December 29, 2020 (by Michael Dickens)
Roger Federer hasn’t played a match since losing in the semifinals of the 2020 Australian Open. Now, with the news that the 20-time Grand Slam champion will miss the upcoming 2021 edition of the“Happy Slam,” fans will have to wait a little bit longer for Federer’s return.
“Roger has made strong progress in the last months with his knee and his fitness,”Federer’s agent, Tony Godsick, told TheAssociated Press on Sunday. “However, he decided that the best thing for him in the long run is to return to competitive tennis after the AO.”
Back to work😃🏋️♂️👨🏼🏫📚🍂🍁🎾 pic.twitter.com/zwljm17Rkv
— Roger Federer (@rogerfederer) November 6, 2020
On Monday, Tennis Australia chief executive and Australian Open tournament director Craig Tiley said in a statement: “In the end Roger ran out of time to get himself ready for the rigors of a Grand Slam and he’s very disappointed he won’t be coming to Melbourne in 2021.
“The Australian Open has always held a special place in his heart – remember it was Roger who first called the AO the ‘happy slam.’
“We wish him all the best as he prepares for his comeback later in the year and look forward to seeing him in Melbourne in 2022.”
Just exactly when the Swiss maestro returns to the ATP Tour isn’t known. However, one good (and sensible) guess could be Dubai. After all, a move to March following the Australian Open seems likely for the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships, an ATP 500 event that Federer has won eight times. Plus, Dubai is where Federer maintains an off-season residence, and it’s where he has been most recently working out. Stay tuned.
Australian Hon to miss AO for first time since 2014
Aus Open update 👇🏽😔 pic.twitter.com/Qaix2R71zg
— Priscilla hon (@pribo98) December 28, 2020
Suárez Navarro hopes to return later this year
Spain’s Carla Suárez Navarro, who has been receiving treatments for Hodgkin lymphoma, told Mundo Deportivo over the weekend she wants to play again before she retires for good: “I would like to play another Grand Slam, obviously in the second half of the season. And I’ll see if I can qualify for the Olympic Games. I would like to be in Tokyo. I also want to play part of the American tour, and that’s it. My dream is to play three or more tournaments.”
Now this would be something to look forward to in 2021. Good luck @CarlaSuarezNava! pic.twitter.com/o4gZ8uttZf
— Tennis Majors (@Tennis_Majors) December 28, 2020
Pouille to skip Australian Open …
The first two withdrawals from the Australian Open are (as we know), Roger Federer and Lucas Pouille.
Pouille has played just one match since Shanghai 2019 – an opening loss to Noah Rubin at the Indian Wells Challenger back in March.
— Stephanie Myles (@OpenCourt) December 28, 2020
… Nishikori to miss Delray Beach Open
Kei Nishikori won’t play @DelrayBeachOpen He will kick-off new season playing @ATPCup – confirmed by @Lindonk
— Michal Samulski (@MichalSamulski) December 28, 2020
Positive thoughts from Ana Ivanovic
Ana Ivanovic may have retired much too soon, but the former World No. 1 and 2008 French Open champion from Serbia is active on social media. On Monday, she shared some positive thoughts for everyone to take into 2021.
Four years ago I retired from my tennis career. 🎾 Still grateful for every single memory, victory and lesson.
Always follow your dreams. It’s so worth it. ❤️
X Ana pic.twitter.com/a7vqiVlgHR
— Ana Ivanovic (@AnaIvanovic) December 28, 2020
Happy 60th birthday, John Fitzgerald
My mate Fitzy turns 60 today. Still the best swinging stretch forehand volley ever seen. One of the good guys… have a great day and Happy Birthday Old fella. pic.twitter.com/X1CB7BR5LB
— Todd Woodbridge (@toddwoodbridge) December 28, 2020
Happy 48th birthday, Patrick Rafter
Happy birthday to one of the finest serve-and-volley players of his generation – Pat Rafter pic.twitter.com/1ac02MHDur
— Tennis Majors (@Tennis_Majors) December 28, 2020
Happy 41st birthday, James Blake
🔴 @DavisCup champion
⚪️ Former @atptour No. 4
🔵 2x @usopen quarterfinalistHappy birthday, @JRBlake! 🎁 pic.twitter.com/xqjT8aAp0P
— USTA (@usta) December 28, 2020
What they’re saying
“I think Novak Djokovic will surpass Sampras’ record for most year-end No.1s and Federer’s record for most weeks as World No.1 but the only guy I’m thinking is that Rafael Nadal might have more Slams than him.”
Greg Rusedski
(via @Daily_Express) pic.twitter.com/xJLhaxBXBH
— We Are Tennis (@WeAreTennis) December 27, 2020
What they’re podcasting
The Match Point Canada Podcastis joined by ATP Comeback Player of the Year Vasek Pospisil to discuss his season. The year in review and a look at the 2021 calendar are also discussed.
New episode of @MatchPointCAN is up! We’re joined by Canadian @VasekPospisil who walks us through the hurdles he had to overcome to resume his tennis career and capture the @atptour Comeback Player of the Year award in 2020. https://t.co/5cfZAqiQgA pic.twitter.com/qzIz9ymzDf
— Mike McIntyre (@McIntyreTennis) December 28, 2020
What they’re sharing on social media
Sofia Kenin / Happy holidays
Happy Holidays to all of you! And a very happy and successful New Year 🎄🎁😍 pic.twitter.com/4vvCYpimSb
— Sofia Kenin (@SofiaKenin) December 28, 2020
